A Fresh Look On Music and Pop Culture

The 2019 Grammy nominations have been released, and, per usual, there were some surprises and snubs. Here is the full list of nominees. I bolded my choice for each category I felt knowledgeable to vote in, and greyed out the ones I didn’t.

I also found some nominations unexpected, and some that were left off surprising as well. Here is my reaction to each genre.

Top Four Categories:

Taylor Swift’s reputation was not nominated for Album of The Year. While I like the album, I didn’t think it should be nominated for Album of The Year, but since all of her albums except Speak Now and Taylor Swift were nominated, it was a bit surprising. The album also sold pretty well and wasn’t a failure by any means, so it was surprising that someone usually in this category, and who has won twice, wasn’t nominated.

I was also surprised the Black Panther soundtrack was nominated for Album of The Year. While I love that album and I think it deserved the nomination, soundtracks aren’t usually nominated in this category.

Pop:

Camila Cabello’s “Havana (live)” was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance. “Havana” is a great song…that should have been nominated last year when it was originally released. No hate at all, it should have been nominated for Record and Song of the Year last year. But I hate when live versions are nominated after the fact.

I was surprised that Taylor Swift’s “Delicate” wasn’t nominated at all in the Pop category. It was the most well received song on the album, so while the album was only nominated for Pop Vocal albums, I thought that would be nominated as well.

R&B:

I love that “Boo’d Up” is getting love, I’m just surprised that the song lyrics itself are being nominated and not the record as well. While I think its a well written song, I think the production is amazing too, so I think its odd that it is only being singled out (such as in the Best R&B Song category) for that.

Rap:

Okay, are we considering Post Malone a singer now? I’m confused about the nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Rockstar.” While I know that rap is multidimensional, I don’t really see the singing on this track.

I’m surprised that Scorpion is not nominated for Best Rap Album. I think the A and B Sides, one being Rap and one being R&B might have split the votes. I always find it weird when something is nominated for Album of The Year but then not nominated for Best Album within its category.

Visual Media:

The same thing about Scorpion not being nominated for its genre Best Album, I’m also surprised that the Black Panther Soundtrack isn’t nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Category 1 – Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.)

General FieldCategory 2 – Album Of The Year
(Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.)

General FieldCategory 3 – Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

General FieldCategory 4 – Best New Artist
(An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.)

Field 3 – Contemporary Instrumental MusicCategory 11 – Best Contemporary Instrumental Album(For albums containing approximately 51% or more playing time of instrumental material. For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.)

Field 4 – RockCategory 14 – Best Rock Song(A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• “Made For Love”Charlie Wilson Featuring Lalah HathawayTrack from: In It To Win It

Field 6 – R&BCategory 19 – Best R&B Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• “All The Stars”
Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Track from: Black Panther The Album Music From And Inspired By

• “Rockstar”
Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage

Field 7 – RapCategory 24 – Best Rap Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Field 8 – CountryCategory 28 – Best Country Song(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Field 8 – CountryCategory 29 – Best Country Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.)

• UnapologeticallyKelsea Ballerini

• Port Saint JoeBrothers Osborne

• Girl Going NowhereAshley McBryde

• Golden HourKacey Musgraves

• From A Room: Volume 2Chris Stapleton

Field 9 – New AgeCategory 30 – Best New Age Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental new age recordings.)

• HiraethLisa Gerrard & David Kuckhemann

• BelovedSnatam Kaur

• Opium MoonOpium Moon

• Molecules Of MotionSteve Roach

• Moku Maluhia – Peaceful IslandJim Kimo West

Field 10 – JazzCategory 31 – Best Improvised Jazz Solo(For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter’s name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.)

• “Some Of That Sunshine”Regina Carter, soloistTrack from: Some Of That Sunshine (Karrin Allyson)

• If You Really WantRaul Midón With The Metropole Orkest Conducted By Vince Mendoza

• The WindowCécile McLorin Salvant

Field 10 – JazzCategory 33 – Best Jazz Instrumental Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new instrumental jazz recordings.)

• Diamond CutTia Fuller

• Live In EuropeFred Hersch Trio

• Seymour Reads The Constitution!Brad Mehldau Trio

• Still DreamingJoshua Redman, Ron Miles, Scott Colley & Brian Blade

• EmanonThe Wayne Shorter Quartet

Field 10 – JazzCategory 34 – Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new ensemble jazz recordings.)

• All About That BasieThe Count Basie Orchestra Directed By Scotty Barnhart

• American Dreamers: Voices Of Hope, Music Of FreedomJohn Daversa Big Band Featuring DACA Artists

• PresenceOrrin Evans And The Captain Black Big Band

• All Can WorkJohn Hollenbeck Large Ensemble

• Barefoot Dances And Other VisionsJim McNeely & The Frankfurt Radio Big Band

Field 10 – JazzCategory 35 – Best Latin Jazz Album(For vocal or instrumental albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. The intent of this category is to recognize recordings that represent the blending of jazz with Latin, Iberian-American, Brazilian, and Argentinian tango music.)

• Heart Of BrazilEddie Daniels

• Back To The SunsetDafnis Prieto Big Band

• West Side Story ReimaginedBobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band

• CinqueElio Villafranca

• Yo Soy La TradiciónMiguel Zenón Featuring Spektral Quartet

Field 11 – Gospel/Contemporary Christian MusicCategory 36 – Best Gospel Performance/Song(This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best traditional Christian, roots gospel or contemporary gospel single or track.)

Field 11 – Gospel/Contemporary Christian MusicCategory 37 – Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song(This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian pop, Christian rap/hip-hop, or Christian rock single or track.)

Field 12 – LatinCategory 42 – Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin rock, urban or alternative recordings.)

• ClaroscuraAterciopelados

• CoastcityCOASTCITY

• Encanto TropicalMonsieur Periné

• GourmetOrishas

• AztlánZoé

Field 12 – LatinCategory 43 – Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new regional Mexican (banda, norteño, corridos, gruperos, mariachi, ranchera and Tejano) recordings.)

• Primero Soy MexicanaAngela Aguilar

• Mitad Y MitadCalibre 50

• Totalmente Juan Gabriel Vol. IIAida Cuevas

• Cruzando BordersLos Texmaniacs

• Leyendas De Mi PuebloMariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez

• ¡México Por Siempre!Luis Miguel

Field 12 – LatinCategory 44 – Best Tropical Latin Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new tropical Latin recordings.)

• Pa’ Mi GenteCharlie Aponte

• LegadoFormell Y Los Van Van

• Orquesta AkokánOrquesta Akokán

• Ponle ActitudFelipe Peláez

• AnniversarySpanish Harlem Orchestra

Field 13 – American Roots MusicCategory 45 – Best American Roots Performance(For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings. This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).)

Field 13 – American Roots MusicCategory 46 – Best American Roots Song(A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Field 13 – American Roots MusicCategory 50 – Best Contemporary Blues Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental contemporary blues recordings.)

• Please Don’t Be DeadFantastic Negrito

• Here In BabylonTeresa James And The Rhythm Tramps

• Cry No MoreDanielle Nicole

• Out Of The BluesBoz Scaggs

• Victor Wainwright And The TrainVictor Wainwright And The Train

Field 13 – American Roots MusicCategory 51 – Best Folk Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental folk recordings.)

• Whistle Down The WindJoan Baez

• Black CowboysDom Flemons

• Rifles & Rosary BeadsMary Gauthier

• Weed GardenIron & Wine

• All AshorePunch Brothers

Field 13 – American Roots MusicCategory 52 – Best Regional Roots Music Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental regional roots music recordings.)

• Kreole Rock And SoulSean Ardoin

• SpyboyCha Wa

• Aloha From Na HoaNa Hoa

• No ‘Ane’iKalani Pe’a

• Mewasinsational – Cree Round Dance SongsYoung Spirit

Field 14 – ReggaeCategory 53 – Best Reggae Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new reggae recordings.)

• As The World TurnsBlack Uhuru

• Reggae ForeverEtana

• Rebellion RisesZiggy Marley

• A Matter Of TimeProtoje

• 44/876Sting & Shaggy

Field 15 – World MusicCategory 54 – Best World Music Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental World Music recordings.)

• DeranBombino

• FenfoFatoumata Diawara

• Black TimesSeun Kuti & Egypt 80

• FreedomSoweto Gospel Choir

• The Lost Songs Of World War IIYiddish Glory

Field 16 – Children’sCategory 55 – Best Children’s Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new musical or spoken word recordings that are created and intended specifically for children.)

Field 18 – ComedyCategory 57 – Best Comedy Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.)

• AnnihilationPatton Oswalt

• Equanimity & The Bird RevelationDave Chappelle

• Noble ApeJim Gaffigan

• Standup For DrummersFred Armisen

• TamborineChris Rock

Field 19 – Musical TheaterCategory 58 – Best Musical Theater Album(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings. Award to the principle vocalist(s) and the album producer(s) of 51% or more playing time of the album. The lyricist(s) and composer(s) of a new score are eligible for an Award if they have written and/or composed a new score which comprises 51% or more playing time of the album.)

Field 20 – Music for Visual MediaCategory 59 – Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
(Award to the artist(s) and/or ‘in studio’ producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album. In the absence of both, award to the one or two individuals proactively responsible for the concept and musical direction of the album and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable. Award also goes to appropriately credited music supervisor(s).)

• Call Me By Your Name
(Various Artists)

• Deadpool 2
(Various Artists)

• The Greatest Showman(Various Artists)

• Lady Bird
(Various Artists)

• Stranger Things
(Various Artists)

Field 20 – Music for Visual MediaCategory 60 – Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media(Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series, video games or other visual media.)

• Black PantherLudwig Göransson, composer

• Blade Runner 2049Benjamin Wallfisch & Hans Zimmer, composers

• CocoMichael Giacchino, composer

• The Shape Of WaterAlexandre Desplat, composer

• Star Wars: The Last JediJohn Williams, composer

Field 20 – Music for Visual MediaCategory 61 – Best Song Written For Visual Media
(A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a motion picture, television, video games or other visual media, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Field 21 – Composing/ArrangingCategory 62 – Best Instrumental Composition(A Composer’s Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.)

Field 26 – Production, Immersive AudioCategory 72 – Best Immersive Audio Album(For vocal or instrumental albums in any genre. Must be commercially released on DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, SACD, Blu-Ray, or burned download-only/streaming-only copies and must provide a new surround mix of four or more channels. Award to the surround mix engineer, surround producer (if any) and surround mastering engineer (if any).)

Field 28 – ClassicalCategory 78 – Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance(For new recordings of works with chamber or small ensemble (twenty-four or fewer members, not including the conductor). One Award to the ensemble and one Award to the conductor, if applicable.)

Field 28 – ClassicalCategory 82 – Best Contemporary Classical Composition(A Composer’s Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.) Award to the librettist, if applicable.)

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Mariah finally got out of her rut (while she’s has a few good singles, the last Mariah Carey project that I liked in its entirely was 2005’s Emancipation of Mimi) with this year’s surprise hit Caution. Instead of trying to make a formulaic hit, Mariah got back to writing her soul wrenching lyrics and worked with the hottest producers instead, like DJ Mustard and Timbaland, to make both a timely and classic album. She also stepped out the box and worked with producers Nineteen85 and Blood Orange.

Top Track: “A NoNo”

A Star Is Born

Full disclosure, I’ve haven’t seen any previous iterations of this movie and I didn’t have any expectations because I’m not a huge county fan, but I loved this movie and soundtrack. My emotions! My emotions! This is the Lady Gaga we need.

Top Track: “Why Did You Do That”

Drake-Scorpion

I would describe Scorpion as the “choose your own adventure” album of 2018. This album could be an inflated mess with too many songs. It could be a rap album. It could be an R&B album. It could be a long interlude to Drake finally confessing he has a kid. I choose Scorpion to be a perfect mix of songs to make any mixtape I feel like.

Top Track: “Nice For What”

Black Panther Soundtrack

Its been a long time since movies soundtracks were exciting and we ave two on the list this year. Kendrick is great at a concept album, and taking the concept of Black Panther and giving a voice to the characters and the spirit of this fictional country was amazing.

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Two Mariah Carey albums are getting a lot of hype lately; her latest album, Caution, which people are calling her strongest work in years, and her 2001 album Glitter. Glitter, which was the soundtrack to the movie of the same name, flopped when it first came out, but the hashtag #JusticeforGlitter has gotten the underrated album back on the charts.

What this has proven is Mimi has a catalog that should be perused again. And luckily, she will make a playlist catered to your taste. Using her chatbot and answering a few multiple choice questions, you get a playlist made for you. I choose “GTFO” “Honey” and “Sassy” and this is the playlist I got.

It always great when artists market their music in fun ways, and this definitely got me more interested in checking out the new music than I was before.

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Sabrina Carpenter’s new video for “Sue Me” is very reminiscent to the movie, Legally Blonde. Check out the parallels between the movie and music video below.

Break Up Aftermath:

After Elle breaks up with Warner, she stays in her room and gorges on sweets until her friends come to check on her. This plays out the same in the music video, with Sabrina eating ice cream until her friends rescue her.

Law School Video Application

Elle sends out a video instead of an essay for her application to Harvard. She shoots at the pool and the quad, same as Sabrina.

First Day Of Class:

Elle opts for a “serious” outfit, complete with glasses. Instead of having a laptop like everyone else on the first day, she writes in her notebook. Sabrina does the same, writing “Sue Me” in her notebook.

Courtroom:

Elle is in the courtroom for her first big case and her friends come out to support her. So does Sabrina friends. Sabrina is also wearing a pink outfit like Elle does.

Check out the video for “Sue Me” below and re-watch Legally Blonde as well.

Following the release of 2017’s blkswn, Smino announced his sophomore album, Smino Noir, coming out Nov. 8.

Instead of just announcing the release of the album in just a social media post, he did a freestyle instead. It featured subtitles, which allowed, rap fans like me to see some of his more subtle wordplay, like his Jersey Shore reference.

Smino also released the video to his single “L.M.F.” which features a kickback, him playing and old man, and a monkey? Nothing is out of the box for Smi.

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We finally get to hear Taylor Swift’s cats, Meredith and Olivia talk and share their real feelings about having a busy working mom during this Direct TV commercial. If their voices sound familiar, it is because Olivia is voice by Jenny Slate and Meredith’s voice is Candice Bergen.

Jenny Slate is known to for having a lot of voice roles. For instance, she’s Tammy on Bob’s Burgers, Harley Quinn in The Lego BatmanMovie and Dawn in Zootopia to name a few credits. She was also Mona-Lisa Saperstein, one of the Saperstein twins, on Parks and Recreation.

Candice Bergen is well known for her role as Murphy Brown, but recently she was the voice of The Closer on an episode of Bojack Horseman.

Imagine taking one of the hottest rapper’s track from one of the best selling albums of 2018 and making it into a moody, indie song? That’s what Morgan Saint did with Cardi B’s “Thru Your Phone,” the closing track on her InvasionofPrivacy album. Saint’s version was named one of 2018 best covers by MarieClaire.com. And just like Cardi made a name for herself, so has Saint. While she has been compared to the likes of Lorde and Halsey, she is defining her own sound with her EP ALIEN. She is also currently on tour opening for lovelytheband.

Check her out this weekend at Lincoln Hall in Chicago and click here for more tour dates. You can also listen to “Thru Your Phone” and her EP Alien below.

Photo by Dana Trippe

If singer Jesse Jo Stark’s sound could be described in one word, it would be spooky. Her mix of rock-n-roll and goth gives off a haunting sound which is introspective and fun at the same time. I got to talk to Stark about her new music, fashion, why she can only do things her way, and of course, Halloween.

Can you talk to me a little bit about your new body of work and the inspiration behind it?

I just put out an EP called Dandelion and I just put out A and B side tracks called “Wish I Was Dead” and “Rot Away.” And so those are newbies. And I guess the inspiration behind them are a little bit about love and death and just kind of like forever belonging to someone.

Do you feel like love and death go hand and hand?

I mean we all have to die and I believe we all should love at least once before we do. And I believe that the idea for me is if we get to love after, it is something to look forward to.

Do you believe in reincarnation?

Yeah I do.

You art direct all your visuals and your release your music independently. Is it important to have this level of control with your image?

One hundred percent. I work with a lot of amazing people that I love collaborating with and trust. I get to work with a lot of amazing people that understand my vibe but there is no way I’m doing this any other way but my own.

Do you feel you have been pressured by other people to do it another way?

I think I have been, but I don’t actually think people…I think people lend their opinions and give me support and ideas on what would make things easier for me, but I’m just not into that. I want longevity and I want to do what I love and I’m not going to take a shortcut. I don’t even know what that means because I’m already doing what I love and I’m enjoying it.

How did you find out that this is something that you were going to love?

I’ve always been immersed in music. I got to listen to a lot of amazing bands when I was younger because my dad is heavily into music so he really inspired me in that way. I was fortunate enough to take vocal lessons and guitar lessons and experiment. I started recording a lot of covers when I didn’t know I wanted to write yet and it eventually just evolved. I’ve been hitting it heavy since I was young, but I feel like the past four years has been it has been a different vibe and going on the road kind of verified that this is what I want to be doing; this is where I want to be.

What is your favorite part of being on tour?

I would say it is so important to have the right people surrounding you. My band is amazing and even the crew is amazing. And we are kind of like this type of family and it makes every day, not easy, but it makes it special and being able to play with them on stage make it feel like this is exactly where I want to be. But my favorite part this round I love the bus and making it our home and knowing we’re going to play to many people every night and we are going to be inspired in a different way every night and getting to read the crowd, meet new people and play our songs.

What do you like to do in your down time at cities?

It is different at each one. Last night we spent a good three hours in Walmart and got matching dragon onesies and anything unnecessary that we could find. But depending on where we are, we love food or a good museum or a good record store. I love going to different vintage shops. Just kind of exploring.

What do you miss most about home when you are on tour?

I’m a family girl, so my family and my dogs. But you’re kind of in a vortex, and kind of just doing what you are doing, you know?

You’ve designed for Chrome Hearts and capsule collections for Vans, do you see yourself designing more in the future?

I love designing. I will always work with design. Chrome Hearts is my family, so its inevitable. That’s my blood and I will always be surrounded by that. Half of the things I wear on stage I’ve made. I love to wear my friends as well, what they make. So fashion ties in to what I do.

What are you fashion influences?

I love vintage clothes. The idea that someone else has worn them and they’ve had crazy experiences that I don’t even know about. I don’t even know where they were when they wore it. But I love that, because they have heart behind the garment. And I will say Cher is a big influence. My parents. The Clash. I like weird pieces that are comfortable but sexy.

Why do you like Halloween so much?

I love the quirky side of horror and being able to express yourself. It is almost like a big fashion show, but for freaks.

What’s your favorite horror movie?

I don’t know because they are so many types of horror. I obviously live for Frankenstein And then you got the gory horror movies. I would say Frankenstein , like old Frankenstein

What is your Favorite halloween costume?

I would say Bride of Frankenstein. I was Bride ofFrankenstein like 5 or 6 years ago and I did it again last year and I would say thats my best one yet.

What are your future goals with music and creating?

I would love to continue touring and playing festivals and writing music and collaborating. Just exactly what I’m doing now, but just grow. I love being on the road so at some point I would love to headline my own tour and keep meeting fans and meeting new people.

Listen to Jesse Jo Stark’s latest work below and be sure to check her out on tour.

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Off the release of their second album, Morning After and their own headlining tour earlier this year, dvsn is now on the road with Miguel for The Ascension Tour. Both of their brands of R&B mix well together, so it was a perfect match for tour mates.

First up was dvsn. While dvsn is made up of producer Nineteen85 and singer Daniel Daley, Nineteen85 was behind the soundboard making sure the sound was orchestrated beautifully. On stage was Daniel and three backup female singers. The females singers were perfect for songs like “Too Deep” features a large female role in the song.

While playing songs from both their album, Sept. 5th and Morning After, they also mixed in R&B favorites like Usher “U Got It Bad” and Beyonce and Justin Timberlake’s “Until The End of Time.” It was nice that they showed off their influences.

Miguel has previously went out on road for the War & Leisure Tour to support the album of the same title earlier this year. He made it clear that this tour was not to support any album, so while he played a lot of songs from that album, he also played b-sides from his previous projects. It was interesting to see him highlight other songs, like “Arch & Point” from Kalediscope Dream, but I wish he did play some of his hits, like “Coffee.”

The concert was also greatly influenced by rock concerts. There were a lot of electric guitars and head banging. But the production was different from what I’ve seen before from any one, focusing on the “ascension” theme and rising up, featuring a lot of stairs, temples and neon colors.

It was great to see how these artists presented their work using visuals that you can’t see by just listening to an album. I’m definitely looking forward to their next albums and more importantly, their next tours.